The Goleta Education Foundation’s annual lemon run broke records Sunday as hundreds lined up at Goleta Beach Park to support local elementary schools, according to event organizers.
The Goleta Lemon Run drew more than 800 runners to participate in the 10K and 5K races and a 1K fun run early Sunday morning, raising money for Goleta Union School District schools, according to Bethany Sutherland, executive director of the foundation.
The nonprofit supports the district’s nine local elementary schools, their programs and students.
The Sunday event featured community organization booths, food vendors and the highly anticipated elementary school mascot dance-off.
Both this year’s attendance and fundraising amount broke the Lemon Run’s previous records, Sutherland said.
“We’ve been crushing our records every year,” she said. “The best part is getting to look out and see all the kids and the smiling faces.”
As of Sunday morning, the event had raised over $15,000 from community members who registered to run in the races, Sutherland said.
Additionally, the foundation received $25,000 in cash sponsorships and $20,000 in educator grants, which go to teachers who are leaders in the education field.
The money will go toward the foundation’s various academic and artistic programs, educator grants, classroom needs and student scholarships.
“All those numbers are starting to come in, but they all add up to make a really big difference for the schools,” Sutherland said.
In addition to the run event, the foundation supports Goleta schools, including launching the first band and orchestra program and classes across all the elementary schools this school year.
The foundation helps families with instrument rentals.
Additionally, the foundation recently donated fans and shade structures to the elementary schools after heat waves hit the South Coast, which teachers said left classrooms boiling.
The races attracted avid runners and beginners alike.
David Wang, former marathon runner, took home first place in the Junior 10K male winner category. He decided to participate in the 6.2-mile run for the first time while waiting for the fall quarter to start at UC Santa Barbara.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” the 18-year-old said.
Wang did not think he’d take any awards home because he had looked at last year’s winners and their paces.
Isla Vista Elementary School sixth-grader Kabir Ban urged his family to participate in the race.
The family said they recently started getting more into running after moving from Ohio to California a couple of months ago.
They ran the 5K race, completing 3.1 miles to support their new school community and enjoy the scenic views.
After the races, all nine elementary school mascots participated in a dance-off, riling up the large crowd of spectators by hitting moves like the worm dance and sprinkler.
The Hollister Elementary School mascot, the Hawk, was crowned winner.
The lemon-themed festivities will continue into next weekend.
Goleta Lemon Festival
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce’s annual Lemon Festival will be coming to Goleta’s Girsh Park on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A decades-old tradition, the festival draws thousands of attendees to 7050 Phelps Road and features lemon-themed treats, live music, activities, and the highly anticipated pie-eating contests.
Admission and parking are free.
